Avalokitasvara

deity sky single tradition · 1

Avalokitasvara is the original Sanskrit name for the Bodhisattva known as Guānyīn in Chinese, meaning 'sound perceiver' or 'he who looks down upon sound.' The name reflects the Bodhisattva's role in hearing the cries of sentient beings.

When

First attested
0 CE
Attested period
0 – 2020
Historical notes
Original Sanskrit form of the Bodhisattva, later syncretized with Avalokiteśvara and translated into Chinese as Guānyīn.

Relationships

co occurs with
Lokeśvara, Lokanātha
syncretized with
Guanyin, Avalokiteshvara

Expand to full subgraph →

Sources

wikipedia (1)

Source passages

“The name Avalokitasvara was later supplanted by the Avalokiteśvara form containing the ending -īśvara, which does not occur in Sanskrit before the seventh century. The original form Avalokitasvara appears in Sanskrit fragments of the fifth century. The original meaning of the name "Avalokitasvara" fits the Buddhist”

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